Vegas Teacher

Hello,

Vegas Teacher is out for his summer break! 

What should my engine temp be as I am running down the highway after the truck warms up?

Later,

Cory Ossana.

Howdy all......

Hey I am in the final countdown for what will be my first big trip, leaving on Monday at 5:00 a.m. Went to see my mechanic today he was going over all of my systems for me today and doing a parked regen just to make sure the truck was ready. 

So if you read this please think some good thoughts for us on our trip.

Thanks,

Cory O 

Hello all,

Yesterday I went and put gas in my 780. I put $200.00 of fuel in my tanks and the needle barely moved. In Vegas Diesel sells for about 5.49 - 5.59 per gallon. I know as far as our trucks go that is not much but for the amount of money vs. the amount of fuel, it about made me cry.

What would your advice to me be on another topic with fuel...........

I am driving my truck back to Kansas, in a couple of weeks, I will update from the road as I drive. I am leaving my truck in Dennis Kansas for a year. Would you leave the truck with a full tank of gas or around a half tank of gas. If I top off and fill up in Amarillo I will only use about a half tank. I am sure I will be putting Diesel #2 in the tank as I travel across country, it will be cold in Kansas over the winter.....

What should I do? fuel will be a decent price in Joplin Mo.

Later,

Cory O 

55 minutes ago, jenandjon said:

You don't need to worry about it until temps in the teens. Then I throw a bottle of Howes in. Less than that I run number 1 blend. You don't typically need full number one. We use a 50-50 blend here on the farm. 

Thanks, that makes sense. I read a lot, I do a lot of research but until somebody gives advice that lays things out nice and simple sometimes all of the extra jargon doesn't make a lot of sense.

Open bottle of ammonia, smell kept a lot of mice out of my 23 foot travel trailer. I put a bottle in the bathroom under the sink, near any place the could crawl up through and just inside of the outer storage doors. Before I did this I found mice droppings, I cleaned them up and never found any signs of mice after that.

All around the outside of my trailer I put out traps, Deacon an lots of things that rodents do not like the smell of, plus fake rubber snakes.

After doing all of the above I did not have any issues with mice or any rodent.

Later,

Cory O

Hey I read about differences in Diesel #1 & Diesel #2 just wondering what you use and what I am going to see at the pumps as I travel across country this summer. Also read a lot about different additives and amounts to add to 50, 100 & 200 gallons of diesel.

Plus I am leaving my truck in Kansas for a year while work is being done. In Vegas we never get cold enough to worry about it, but in Kansas, depending on the winter it can be mild or, when I was growing up, we had -10 to -20 degree days. So just need advice.

Later,

Cory O

I go to Blue Beacon they wash the whole truck, including the engine, dress the wheels and tires and it always looks great. I get this done once a month.

Cory O

2 hours ago, Jaydrvr said:

Well, mine has 1,955,000 miles on it, but I have done a good bit to keep it up. I forget, what year is yours? The number one problem with newer trucks is maintaining the emissions systems. Mine is pre-emissions, so that really helps me. Jay

My 780 is a 2010 pre DEF.

Hello All!!!!

My wife has been reading about all of the terrible stories with Semi trucks breaking down on the HDT facebook forum. We are near 1 million miles on our 780 and she thinks it is going to explode on us costing us 1000's of $. So if anyone on the forum have good running trucks at or near the million mile mark could you please write in so I can show her our truck is not going to explode on us.

Thanks,

Cory O - Vegas Teacher

Jim,

Are you from Kansas? If so where?

Chanute Kansas - I grew up about 60 miles from Chanute, in Pittsburg Kansas.

Thanks for the advice.

Cory O

On 5/6/2022 at 3:01 PM, jkoenig24 said:

Spindrift raises a good point on the insulation, especially in the roof. Having more than one AC unit when you're based in Las Vegas is something else to consider. Ask if the AC units have SOFT START technology already installed; otherwise, installing Soft Start will set you back $200+ for each AC unit (but they ARE worth it in my opinion). I've NEVER heard of a  customer who has been happy with the financing and or service they've received at a Camping World. 

Who are the best at service and repair? I know it is only a matter of time before all of our trailers need something done.

On 5/7/2022 at 8:20 PM, autoshift said:

Does CLG allow Bobtail?

Yes they do, that is why I have them specifically. I drive my semi for dog training, I don't have my trailer yet. I had one and sold it, to get money to do repairs on my 780. Anyway I had a terrible time looking for somebody to insure me driving Bobtail and they did.

You can call me at 702-672-7990. I really am a teacher so I won't pick up my phone until 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time Zone. I live in Las Vegas.

Later,

Cory Ossana

Howdy Ya'll!!!

14 days of school left counting today.

I am starting to look at 5'ers now. As we get closer to the work being completed on the Semi, I am getting more and more excited about saving and shopping for a trailer. I absolutely will not take out a loan, I will pick what I like then save every penny I can to buy it.

I looked at Montana High Country 5'ers, I looked at Fuzions also, but I am leaning toward a no on the toy hauler. We really liked the front living room with hind quarter bedrooms.

What brands do you like. I took to heart all of the bad reviews about Camping World, so they sell the Montana High Country 5er I liked.

Also if the customer service / repair shop at Camping World is bad, does anybody have a recommendation for good 5'er / travel trailer repair services when they are needed, we all know these trailers are going to have issues and break down, who is good and who should be avoided is always nice to know.

Later,

Vegas Teacher - Cory O 

The only downside to GLG is they do not have a towing rider that can be put on your insurance.

I use GLG it is a division of progressive that is able to write policies for our trucks. I pay about 900.00 per year.

Phone number is Phone: (702) 360-2111

Later,

Vegas Teacher

Well before I read the replies today, the D.W. was on me last night to get it done. I got signed up with Roadside Masters. The have a full service for towing and all roadside assistance issues for breakdowns of the big rigs.

It was expensive but made the wife happy and maybe even my mother more happy. My mom is so worried about me driving back home, in the 780 you would not believe me.

Later,

Cory O

Hello all!

O.k. here is my situation. I have insurance through GLG which is a part of Progressive. I called last night and talked to my agent. I am insured to drive anywhere I want as far as I want but they do not offer towing insurance as a rider to the policy. My agent called somebody above him and got me this news last night about 5:00 p.m.

I am not sure Good Sam will do towing for me because when I sold my trailer they dropped my towing on my Rig.

I have AAA for both me and my wife already, but the agent I spoke with laughed when I asked if they would cover the Semi for towing if needed.

So does anybody know of a company who would just do a towing insurance?

Later,

Cory O

Thanks for all of the information on Camping World. Seems to me, from what I have read, is that Camping world likes to sell a product but does not like to back up the product when it comes to the most important thing, SERVICE.

My grandpa owned his own Texaco gas / service station in Pittsburg Kansas in the late 50's & 60's. He did very well and his whole business platform was based on customer service. He not only sold gas, this was when they had an attendant come out to the car and do a 20 point inspection. (Side note, no, not like Oregon where they come up and pump your gas then leave.) It was the old school pump gas, wash windows check oil, tire pressure etc... He also had two bays and was a full service shop. My grandpa could rebuild an engine. If some of you have followed my threads you are probably scratching your heads right now because you know that I did not get any of his mechanical ability, and that is why I am shadowing my semi mechanic and his employees this summer. Anyway he and my father did both teach me about customer service and I don't see it many places anymore.

If anybody out there has extra time, go on Amazon and order the book Raving Fans, it is all about customer service. It has maybe two paragraphs on a page and is under 60 pages. You can start and finish it in one afternoon. I love this book.

Later,

Vegas Teacher - Cory Ossana

P.S. 18 more school days left!!!!!

33 minutes ago, jkoenig24 said:

You're wise to make keeping your wife as happy as possible a priority.

 

RE: buying at Camping World; be VERY careful. MANY Camping World locations are NOT known for customer service, particularly AFTER the sale. I expect you're familiar with (or at least heard of) www.rvtrader.com ? 

 

www.racingjunk.com occasionally has suitable trailers listed. 

Not heard of www.rvtrader.com . I have heard of the reputation with Camping World. Who is good at servicing 5'ers? Also looking for a front living space. Are there any 5'ers out there that have them that you like?

Later,

Cory O

Howdy All!!!

20 (School Days) left in the school year!

So my first big trip with the wife back to Kansas. We have done a number of 100 to 150 mile trips or 200 to 300 round trip.

Pam has a few hours behind the wheel now and feels a lot more comfortable driving.

So we are going to leave the May 31st, it is the Tuesday after Memorial Weekend. I will be dropping my 780 off in Dennis Kansas with Jack Mayer at RVH Lifestyles to get a bed done on it.

Pam, my wife does not want to do the normal marathon days. When we drive it, in our car, we drive from Las Vegas to Shamrock Texas. We leave at 11:59 p.m. and travel through the night, we eat breakfast in Albuquerque NM at the Deny's on the Flying J / Pilot on the West side of town just off of I - 40 then travel on in to Shamrock where we stay at a really nice Best Western, right across from a gas station. That drive is 952 miles and driving is just shy of 14 hours without stops or traffic issues. The next day is a short drive in from Shamrock to Pittsburg Kansas. Shamrock is in the panhandle of Texas 15 miles west of the Oklahoma state line. So our travel from Shamrock to Pittsburg Kansas is 6 hours and 5 minutes without stops at a distance of 408 miles and a couple more to my house I grew up in. That is the normal trip however Pam ( the D.W. ) does not want to do that and said she would take a 1 hour stint behind the wheel.

New travel schedule adjusted to wife's requests:

Tuesday May 31, 2022 (later than normal departure around 5:00 a.m. I wanted to be the traffic out of Vegas. If you have ever driven 95 south at rush hour you know how bad the traffic is near fremont street, in Vegas.)

Vegas to Winslow Az 

Wednesday June 1, 2022

Winslow to Albuquerque NM

Thursday June 2, 2022

Albuquerque NM to Shamrock Texas

Friday June 3, 2022

Shamrock Texas to Pittsburg Kansas

These are pretty short days, once again wife's request. I am going to be "Bobtailing" all the way from Vegas to Kansas and I see me driving the majority of the time anyway. I am looking to keep her happy so we can ride along with out fighting. Since it is our first big trip I just want her to be happy and excited to do it again. We will be staying at truck stops most of the time. I like the motel we stay at in Shamrock so the last night of the trip will be spent at a real motel, in a real bed with the free breakfast. They have waffles in the shape of Texas LOL!!! I am looking forward to the truck stops. The year I bought the Semi we did truck stops all over the south across I - 10, I loved it. 

I don't have the dream trailer yet. Over spring break we went trailer shopping at Camping World. I really like the Montana High Country trailers with the front living quarters and bedroom in the back, they were just shy of 40 feet with a pin weight of about 2100 lbs if I remember correctly.

Anyway any advice you could give me on route, or places you have stayed and liked is greatly appreciated.

Later,

Cory O

Looks Great!

On 4/20/2022 at 3:43 PM, 2gypsies said:

I don't think there's a 48' MH but regardless, she needs to watch the weather constantly.  The roads are good.

Sorry I probably was wrong. I went shopping for a new 5th wheel over the last week and to many numbers are running around in my head now.  

Cory O

15 hours ago, 2gypsies said:

Hwy 26 is a very easy drive. It runs along the river.  Perfectly OK for any size RV. It's flat.

You may be thinking of Hwy 22 (Teton Pass) between Victor & Jackson.  That's a biggie!  10% grades.

Thanks for the information!!! I will pass it along.

16 hours ago, Sculptor said:

I was told by someone on this site, to stay away from route 26 between Idaho Falls and Jackson WY. 
In the summer watch the internet for fire areas. Not usually a problem (I think?) but nice to know about.  

Also beautiful scenery between Ennis and Bozeman (287-84) with one tight curve between cliffs and river.  We made it no problem in our rig just don’t let the tight turns on a short stretch surprise you. Additionally be aware there is a higher pass, and snow/fog chance north of Ennis. If she might go that way.  Lots of boondocking spots on that river too.  It’s the Madison River. 
8 months ago the road got quite rough south of the Montana line, on route 20. It was a few miles not the whole way. I forget exactly where.  Might be after the highway narrows to 2 lanes. 
If your friend likes fly fishing she should come prepared.  There is a fairground in Bozeman we used. It was a decent neighborhood and inexpensive.  Elizabeth City west of Ennis is interesting.  
I hope this helps.

Thanks, I am passing along this information!!!!

Howdy all,

I have a friend traveling from Las Vegas North on 15 to Bozeman Montana. She is driving a 48 foot class A Newmar Motor coach. She is worried about road conditions currently as she heads north. Does anybody have any words of warning or advice for the route she will be taking? I am not sure of which highway she will be heading east on but more than likely whatever is the most direct. She drive 6 hours or less each day or 300 miles. So it is going to be a very long trip for her.

So if you live along this route and can let me know if any weather dangers are lurking please chime in!!!!!

Later,

Cory Ossana - Vegas Teacher.